COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, March 12, 2012
HEADED ITEM NO. H4 a (i)
REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE
SPORT, RECREATION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PARKS STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING
HELD ON WEDNESDAY 8th FEBRUARY, 2012
PRESENT
| Members | Officials |
| Cllr C. King | B. Coman Director of Housing & Community |
| Cllr M. Duff | W. Sheils Senior Executive Officer |
| Cllr G. Kenny | A. Silke Sport & Recreation Officer |
| Cllr. D. Looney | P. Swayne Sport & Recreation Officer |
| Cllr. T. Ridge | Andrew Leonard Cricket Development Officer |
| Cllr. B. Lawlor | Niall Neville Rugby Development Officer |
| Cllr M. McDonagh | Jim Crawford FAI Development Officer |
| Cllr P. Cosgrave | Robert Hoey FAI Development Officer |
| C. McCarthy | GG McGlynn FAI Development Officer |
| S. Reid | Barry Ferguson Fai Development Officer |
An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Cathal King presided.
1) Minutes previous meeting held on 9th November 2011
Proposed: Cllr. Gino Kenny
Seconded: Cllr. Cathal King
2) Matters Arising: No matters arising
3) Play Policy Review Group
Paula Swayne, Sports Officer made a presentation outlining the work undertaken by the Play Policy Review Group. Paula explained that the Group had met on a number of occasions and were due to meet once again on 22nd February. It is expected that the Group will have a detailed report to present to the SPC for the meeting scheduled in May. Following a general discussion among the members, Paula was thanked for her work to date on this matter.
4) Community Grants Scheme Review Group Report
Willie Sheils gave a verbal update on this issue. The Review Group has met several times and has almost reached conclusion on the review. There are a couple of crucial decisions still to be made but it is expected that these will be resolved and agreed by the group very soon. It was suggested and agreed that as soon as the group agreed on the final report that any revisions to the Scheme should be implemented immediately, rather than waiting for the report to the next SPC meeting in May 2012. This would mean that there would be no suspension of grants pending the outcome of the review.
5) Sports Development Officers Presentations
The first presentation was made by Niall Neville, the Rugby Development Officer for South Dublin County Council. Niall listed some of the programmes that he was running, and outlined how he was interacting with the four rugby clubs in the area as well as with many of the schools. There are a total of 17 primary and 14 secondary schools involved to date and he further outlined the programme for involving girls in playing rugby and also mentioned his three-year strategic plan. Several of the members complimented Niall on the work he is doing and welcomed his report. Several questions were raised by the Members and Niall answered them in turn.
The next presentation was made by Andrew Leonard, the newly-appointed Cricket Development Officer. Andrew listed many of the events he has planned for 2012 – 2013 and indicated that he will be targeting the schools in particular. He is also anxious to develop girl’s cricket in South Dublin County, as well as developing the game generally. Several of the Members raised questions, particularly about the coaching methods used and also about the availability of equipment, and Andrew answered them in turn. The final presentation was made by the four F.A.I. football Development Officers, Jim Crawford, Robert Hoey, Barry Ferguson and G.G. McGlynn. Each of the four Development Officers contributed towards the presentation which outlined the range and scope of the work done with the clubs and schools in South Dublin County. Robbie Hoey told how he had set a target of a 10% increase in the number of girls playing football, while Barry outlined the positive input football made during Intercultural week. They continue to run the very successful Summer Camps,and the Late Night Leagues introduced in both Tallaght and Clondalkin were attracting the highest numbers in Dublin and have proved a to be very successful in contributing towards the reduction of anti-social behaviour on the nights when the leagues are running. Football for people with disabilities is also proving to be hugely popular and a very successful programme is running in Cheeverstown House. Many of the Members commented very positively on the work being carried out by the Development Officers, and they posed a range of questions which were duly answered by the Development Officers.
6) AOB
There was no business under AOB.
The meeting concluded at 7.12p.m.